Local News

21 May 2013

It’s Election Day…

Last minute voters have until eight pm to mark their ballots and return them to the Lane County Elections Department.

At that same moment the first election results in today’s special districts election will be released online.

So far just under 30-percent of Lane County’s 209-thousand registered voters have returned their ballots.  Turnout is expected to be heavy enough today to boost that to about 35 or 36 percent.

The Sheriff’s jail levy, along with extensions of special levies at Mapleton Fire District and Siuslaw Schools are being decided, as are dozens of contested and uncontested races for various boards and commissions.

Voters in the Heceta Water District are being asked to decide whether or not to change the way they’re governed.  A measure there is proposing a People’s Utility District… backers say that would give the water provider more protection from encroachment by the City of Florence.

It’s too late to mail ballots… In Florence they can be dropped off at the drive-up ballot box in front of the Justice Center.

Self Appointments For Concealed Handgun Permit Applications

A sharp increase in applications for concealed handgun permits over the past six months has led to long waits just to turn in the applications.  At times, there has been as much as a three hour wait.

Now the Sheriff’s Office has instituted a “self-appointment” system through the department’s website that allows applicants to pick a day and time that best suits their needs.

Sergeant Carrie Carver with the agency says applicants should thoroughly review the application to make sure they are eligible to apply.  Then they can go to www.lanesheriff.org and click on the “CHL” or Concealed Handgun License link.  From there they can follow the steps to make an appointment.

Carver said their goal was to be able to provide a service to community members in an efficient way.

Calm Festival

Police in Florence issued 19 citations and made six arrests over the weekend’s Rhododendron Festival.  That was a – quote – “relatively calm weekend” says Police Chief Ray Gutierrez.

He credited the weather with having the most influence on activities; which was more than likely a good thing.

This is the second year that Gutierrez has had no outside help from the Lane County Sheriff’s office.  Staffing limitations have caused the Sheriff to no provide any additional patrols in Florence over the festival weekend.  That stretches local forces.

Gutierrez said they did have additional support from Tribal and State Police again this year… something he says is greatly appreciated.

Power of FlOreNcE

She’s much older and wiser now.

Kaylee Graham was only 11 years old when, along with help from family and friends, organized the first Power of Florence… a day that was designed to encourage everyone in the community to get together and volunteer for the day.

That was in July of 2011.

She did it again last year and plans are underway for the next “Power of Florence” coming up July 20^th but an organizing meeting has been scheduled for tomorrow afternoon… from four to five pm… at Siuslaw Public Library.

This year’s motto is “Each ONE, ONE Day, Making a Difference”.

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Athlete of the Week

The sophomore hurdler won the Far West District Title for the 100m hurdles and will compete at state as part of Siuslaw’s 4×100 relay team. (Photo by Kim Pickell)

Siuslaw Track and Field Standout Stevie Miller is Coast Radio Sports’ Athlete of the Week.

The Viking Sophomore qualified for the 4A State Track and Field finals by capturing 1^st place in the girls’ 100 meter hurdles at the Far West District Meet with a time of 17.53 seconds.  Miller also ran one leg of the Far West Champion 4×400 relay team that will be competing at Hayward Field in Eugene.

Honorable mention… Seth Campbell qualified for the State Meet in the 800 meters, finishing 2^nd at the Far West District meet with a time of 2:02.63.

College Baseball

Oregon State moved up to number four in the Baseball America rankings after taking two out of three games over the weekend from number 11 Oregon.  The two teams meet again today in a non-conference matchup at Goss Stadium in Corvallis.  Oregon will travel to Salt Lake this weekend for a final Pac-12 series against Utah.  Oregon State will host Washington State.  The Beavers lead the Pac-12 standings.  Oregon and UCLA are two games back, tied for second place.

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Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – The father of a 5-year-old Portland boy who died of abuse has pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 18 years in prison. The man, Kalman Eteuati, had been charged with murder by abuse in the death last June of his son, Mahonarye Noa. The Oregonian reports the man’s wife, Valisha Eteuati, is facing the same charge is scheduled to enter a plea and be sentenced today.

HILLSBORO, Ore. (AP) – Former Oregon football player Cliff Harris will face trial in Hillsboro on a domestic harassment charge. Harris appeared in court yesterday and declined the opportunity to enter a one-year diversion program. Harris is charged in connection with a May 3 argument with his girlfriend outside a restaurant.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – An Oregon State Penitentiary inmate has had five years added to his prison time for crimes against law enforcement while he’s been in custody. The U.S. attorney’s office in Portland says Andrew Barnett mailed a threatening letter in 2008 to the Washington sheriff and deputies. In 2011, he threw human waste on a jail guard in Portland. And last April he mailed a letter containing white powder to the U.S. attorney’s office, claiming it was anthrax. It turned out to be an antibiotic that had been ground into powder.

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) – Springfield City Councilor Dave Ralston asked for a court-appointed attorney but was told to pay for his own lawyer after he pleaded not guilty to a charge of driving under the influence. The Register-Guard reports Ralston was cited Feb. 10 when he was stopped after leaving a tavern. He had a blood alcohol level of .07 percent, which is below the .08 level at which a driver is presumed to be intoxicated. Ralston has said he was entrapped.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

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Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) – An airport spokesman confirms that a Horizon Air flight out of Portland landed safely in Spokane despite a blown tire on its landing gear. KXLY-TV reports that Horizon Flight 2358′s 4:30 p.m. arrival time was pushed back briefly after it declared the problem. Airport spokesman Todd Woodard says fire and rescue crews were dispatched to the runway, where the plane touched down shortly before 5 p.m.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Two brothers allege that people standing near Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard assaulted them after one of the victims took a photo of the NBA Rookie of the Year. The brothers tell KGW that the suspects were Lillard’s “entourage,” but police say they haven’t determined whether they are associated with the player. Portland police Sgt. Pete Simpson says Lillard spoke with officers and “is not a suspect” in the assault.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – The U.S. Senate has confirmed Oregon’s newest federal judge. The Senate confirmed Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Michael McShane yesterday for a judgeship in Eugene. McShane replaces Michael Hogan, who retired last year.

SEATTLE (AP) – UW Medicine and PeaceHealth have announced plans for a strategic affiliation to coordinate medical services. The Seattle Times reports the two organizations say they will remain legally separate and independent. PeaceHealth is a Catholic organization based in Clark County that operates nine hospitals in Washington, Oregon and Alaska.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

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Here is the latest Washington, Oregon and Alaska sports news from The Associated Press

CLEVELAND (AP) – The Cleveland Indians, twice revived by Seattle’s fielding errors, beat the Mariners 10-8 yesterday to complete a four-game sweep. Yan Gomes hit a three-run homer in the 10th inning and also homered in the second. He drove a 3-2 pitch from Charlie Furbush (0-3) over the wall in left, giving the Indians their fifth straight win and third walk-off over the Mariners in four days.

SEATTLE (AP) – Investor Chris Hansen has congratulated Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson on his efforts to keep the Kings in California, while also vowing to keep up his pursuit of getting the NBA back to Seattle. Hansen released a statement on his SonicsArena.com website yesterday afternoon. Given what Seattle went through with the loss of the SuperSonics in 2008, Hansen says if there was a “silver lining” for Seattle in his attempts to purchase the Kings, it was seeing the Sacramento fan base rally to help keep the franchise.

RENTON, Wash. (AP) – Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks started organized team activities with very little talk about anything that took place on the field. Carroll gave a lengthy opening statement yesterday, addressing head on the recent off-field problems that have put some of his players in the headlines. The bad news for Seattle started last Friday when defensive end Bruce Irvin was suspended for the first four games of the 2013 season after testing positive for performance enhancing substances.

RENTON, Wash. (AP) – Second-round pick Christine Michael and the Seattle Seahawks have reach agreement on a multi-year contract just as organized team activities begin. Michael, the Seahawks top pick in April’s draft out of Texas A&M, signed with the club yesterday. Terms of his contract were not released. The Seahawks also re-signed tight end Darren Fells, who they originally signed on March 6, but released on May 8. Seattle released long snapper Adam Steiner to clear a spot on the 90-man roster.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

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Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press

ASTORIA, Ore. (AP) – Jurors in Astoria, Oregon, have convicted a Washington state man of attempted aggravated murder and related counts in a February 2012 encounter with police at a local motel. The Daily Astorian says jurors yesterday convicted Yevgeniy Savinskiy (yev-GAY’-nee sav-IN’-skee) of Washougal on two counts of attempted aggravated murder and two counts of first-degree attempted assault as well as felony attempt to elude and five counts of reckless endangerment. The man was wounded when police went to the Lamplighter Motel to investigate a report of weaponry in his room.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – The U.S. Senate has confirmed Oregon’s newest federal judge. The Senate confirmed Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Michael McShane in a voice vote Monday. McShane will be a U.S. district judge in Eugene. McShane replaces Michael Hogan, who retired last year.

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) – Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has signed a bill that would provide more environmental protections against derelict vessels in Washington’s waterways. The legislation signed Monday allows public agencies to board abandoned or derelict vessels to assess whether they pose a threat to the environment. It would require owners of vessels longer than 65 feet and more than 40 years old to be inspected before they are sold to someone else.

SEATTLE (AP) – The Coast Guard says an engine room fire originally reported as uncontrolled aboard a 314-foot fishing vessel off the Washington coast has been extinguished. No injuries were reported among the 120 people aboard the Arctic Storm. Petty Officer 3rd Class Nate Littlejohn says a sister ship has reached the Arctic Storm about 30 miles off Grays Harbor, Wash., and plans to pick up some crew members. Other good Samaritan vessels in the area have also evacuated crew members. Littlejohn says the crew will be taken to Westport, Wash.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

Local News

Sun Shines on the Grand Floral Parade…

Despite Saturday’s dampness there was plenty of sunshine and the crowd was large for the final day of the 106th Rhododendron Festival. Throngs lined both sides of Highway 101; thousands crammed into Historic Old Town Florence to watch the Grand Floral Parade.  Queen Jade Herbert and her senior court of princesses Courtney Rodet and Taysie Savage were at the head of the procession, followed close behind by the Oregon Duck Mascot who served as Grand Marshall.

Puddles, the Fighting Duck, or just the Duck… depending on how you refer to him, chose the float entered by Bright Beginnings Pre School for the Grand Marshall’s award.  The Mayor’s award, bestowed by Nola Xavier, went to the Positive Behavior kids from Siuslaw Elementary School. The Queen’s award went to the Last Resort Players.

The ‘in-parade’ judging took place at the reviewing stand in front of T.R. Hunter Real Estate as the entries went past.

The U. S. Coast Guard entry was given the best “Service” award; Marshfield’s Band of Pirates was the best marching band; the Last Resort Players won the best Commercial Float.  The non-commercial award went to the Florence Elks.  The Rhody Cruisers won 1^st place in the vehicle category and Ixtapa Mexican Restaurant’s dancing horses won the best equestrian.

Before the parade there were plenty of activities that yielded results.  The 1935 Ford Sedan owned by Gary and Linda Neal of Florence was judged by the Siuslaw Firefighters as being the “Best in Cruise” at Saturday’s Coast Radio Classic Car Cruise.

At the Rhododendron Society flower Show there were more than 800 entries.  The Best in Show went to Ann Drake of Coquille.  Jim and Sylvia Smith of Mapleton won the Sweepstakes Award for the most winning entries.  The Smiths also won the Queen’s Choice for their ‘as-yet’ unnamed American Hybrid.  Betty and Charles King of Florence had the best Macrophyllum… or native rhododendron on display.

More festival activity and results are here.

High School Principal Disputes Candidate Claims

Tomorrow is Election Day and you have until 8 pm to return your ballot.  There are several money matters to be decided by voters, including a levy extension for the Mapleton Fire District and Siuslaw Schools.  Lane County is asking for 55-cents per thousand for jail operations.

There has been plenty of attention focused on the Port of Siuslaw Race which drew a dozen candidates for four spots.

But, there are two candidates vying for one of two school board positions.

One of those candidates, Dr. Helen Ritchie, has based her campaign on graduation rates.  She says the rate at Siuslaw High School has been extremely poor.

High school principal Matt Henry is disputing not only Ritchie’s math, but her methods.

Matt Henry – “Is just throwing a lot of sound-bite bombshells out there about 66%.  Not only is she misleading people the way she’s portraying that data, but it’s just a complete negative campaign as far as I’m concerned.”

That’s not the kind of person he wants to see on the school board…

Matt Henry – “If this is the type of leadership that wants to join the board, I hope the community realizes and sees through it in contrast to Mr. Salisbury who she’s running against.”

By her own admission May 1^st, Ritchie said she had never even spoken with administrators locally, nor had she been in the schools to see first hand what was actually happening.

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Prep Track and Field

Siuslaw running standout Katy Potter won both the 1,500 and 3,000 meters. (Photo by Kim Pickell)

Billy Jones won the boys long and triple jumps at the Far West District Meet. (photo by Kim Pickell)

There were plenty of high- lights for the Siuslaw Vikings at the Far West District Track and Field Meet in North Bend over the weekend… Multiple event winners were Katy Potter in the 1500 and the 3000; Billy Jones won the Long Jump and the Triple Jump.

Friday there was an exciting finish in the boys’ 3,000 as the trio of Matthew Campbell, Mitchell Butler and Mack Marbas finshed 1-2-3 and all broke a meet record that has stood since 1979.

Mack Marbas leads the pack in the final turn of the boys’ 3,000 meter at District. He was passed on the stretch by Matthew Campbell (center) and Mitchell Butler (left), but all three broke the meet record set in 1979. Campbell’s winning time of 8:45.10 wasn’t his fastest though. He ran 8:37 at the Centennial meet in 2012. Marbas did lead Campbell and Butler across the finish line in the 1,500 with a time of 4:04.91. (photo by Kim Pickell)

That same trio went 1-2-3 in the 1500 with Marbas followed by Campbell and Butler.  The Girls had a 1-2-3 sweep as well in the 100 meter hurdles with Stevie Miller in first followed by Alex Dodson and

Hayden Schaffner on the way to capturing the district crown in the boys’ 800 meter. (photo by Kim Pickell)

Mikaela Siegel.

Other individual winners:  Hayden Schaffner won the 800 for the boys; Katy Wells the 800 for the girls.

The Vikings took two relays… Miller, Wells, Potter and Kennedy Pendergrass won the girls’ 4×400; Brian Schofield and Schaffner, along with Matthew and Seth Campbell won the boys 4×400.

North Bend won both team titles for the boys and the girls… Siuslaw was second on both sides with the girls narrowly missing 1^st place by only three team points.

At the Mountain West district meet in Blue River Mapleton’s Madison Frelich was second in the girls Long Jump, she finished 3^rd in the 100 meter hurdles.

Prep Baseball

The Siuslaw Vikings will face Hidden Valley Wednesday afternoon at Jiggs Dodson Field in Florence for the opening round of the OSAA 4A baseball playoffs… game time is set for 4:00.  The winner will face either South Umpqua or Henley.  North Bend is the third Far West team in the playoffs… they travel to Ontario Wednesday afternoon.

Pac-12 Baseball

On the college diamond… Oregon State extended the lead in the Pac-12 baseball race winning two out of three over the Ducks at PK Park.  Oregon won the opener Friday afternoon 3-nothing, but The Beavs bounced back for a 9-run shutout win Saturday, then demolished the Ducks 12-2 yesterday.

The two teams meet again tomorrow night in a non-conference game in Corvallis.

Oregon will travel to Salt Lake for the final conference series of the season this weekend against Utah… Oregon State will be at home against Washington State.

Rhody Run Results

The 35^th Rhody Run was contested Saturday morning under drizzly skies… “Every Day Jacob Berkner” demolished the rest of the field finishing nearly three minutes ahead of the next runner to claim the men’s 5K in 16-minutes flat.  Bella Richardson of Eugene won the women’s 5K in 19:40.

Orestes Gutierrez of Eugene won the men’s 10K in 33:39; Jenna Ward won the women’s in 47:10.

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Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press

CORNELIUS, Ore. (AP) – A Cornelius man has three broken ribs but he’s thanking his neighbors for saving his life. Scott Lakey was working on his truck Saturday and had the front tires on ramps. He had crawled underneath when the truck rolled off the ramps and landed on his chest. KATU reports Jose Cervantes and other neighbors heard him screaming for help. They lifted up the truck and pulled Lakey out by his legs. He was released yesterday from the hospital.

WILSONVILLE, Ore. (AP) – Police say a 14-year-old boy was early this morning in Wilsonville after leading officers on a chase on Interstate 5 from Woodburn early this morning. KGW reports the incident began with a report of a hit-run accident. The driver fled on the interstate and took an exit at Wilsonville where two tires failed and the car was pinned by a police cruiser. Police used pepper spray on the driver who managed to run off on foot. He was tracked with a dog and arrested. He was treated for a dog bite and locked up in a juvenile facility.

SCIO, Ore. (AP) – A man walking his dog has found an overturned car at Scio and the driver dead inside. Oregon State Police say the car driven by 49-year-old David Marler of Scio lost control, left Highway 226 and rolled down an embankment. KVAL reports came to rest on the bank of Thomas Creek.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Law enforcement agencies across Oregon are taking part in the “click it or ticket” seat belt enforcement campaign through June 2. The Multnomah County sheriff’s office says deputies will be paying extra attention to child passengers to make sure they are properly restrained. They’ll also be checking passengers in pickup trucks. Of the 61 fatalities related to unrestrained passengers last year, 49 were riding in pickups.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

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Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press

McMINNVILLE, Ore. (AP) – A trial date could be set this week for a lawsuit claiming Yamhill County law enforcement officers used excessive and unnecessary force in making an arrest three years ago. The News-Register reports that Hipolito Aranda is seeking $1 million in punitive damages from seven defendants, including a McMinnville Police Department sergeant and a Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office deputy. Aranda suffered a broken elbow and ribs during his arrest by a McMinnville officer for resisting arrest. He was acquitted of the charge.

HILLSBORO, Ore. (AP) – Washington County sheriff’s deputies say no charges are expected against a minivan driver who struck and killed a 23-year-old woman who was walking on a rural highway south of Hillsboro. The driver told police he was traveling about 55 mph when the woman, wearing all black, appeared in front of his car. He said he was unable to avoid her. She was identified as Melissa Bernard of Portland.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Portlanders have broken away from their polite chatter about food, wine and outdoor adventure to fight about whether to fluoridate the water supply. Supporters and opponents of public fluoridation have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars ahead of tomorrow’s election that has drawn heavy attention. Campaign signs have sprouted alongside roses on lawns across the city, as have reports of people stealing them.

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) – Michael Conforto hit a grand slam home run and Oregon State defeated Oregon 12-2 yesterday in the rubber match of the Civil War series this weekend at PK Park. Conforto drove in six total runs for the Beavers, who take a two game lead on the Ducks atop the Pac-12 standings. The two teams meet again tomorrow night in Corvallis.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.